SpaceX has successfully launched five Iridium NEXT satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, formally bringing the total number of Iridium NEXT satellites in orbit to 55.
Two more launches are scheduled to complete the program which will see 66 interconnected low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites deliver the new global broadband service, Iridium Certus.
Iridium Certus will bring users an upgraded infrastructure using Iridium’s resilient L-band spectrum, with higher throughputs and faster speeds.
“Our strong presence in the world of safety services is a testament to the unique benefits our network can enable,” said Matt Desch, chief executive officer at Iridium. “With every successful launch, we are one step closer to Iridium NEXT being fully operational, which officially starts a new age of satellite connectivity. When it comes to safety communications, especially for those operating in the skies or out at sea, having built-in network redundancy and resiliency enabled by our satellite’s crosslinks is paramount, especially during times of distress. We recognise this and feel that as the only network covering the entire planet, we have an inherent responsibility to constantly innovate for this critical arena.”
Iridium NEXT is the company’s US$3 billion, next-generation, mobile, global satellite network scheduled for completion this year. It will replace the existing network in one of the largest technology upgrades ever completed in space. The five newly launched Iridium NEXT satellites are now in orbital plane six where they will immediately begin preparations for the pre-operational testing and validation processes. The network is comprised of six polar orbiting planes, each hosting 11 satellites, blanketing the earth with reliable satellite connectivity.
